Willerson Honored in Japan and Canada

James T. Willerson, M.D., president of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and president- elect of the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke’s Episcopal Hospital, was honored March 24 as an International Honorary Member of the Japanese Circulation Society at the society’s 70th annual meeting. He also has been named the 2006 recipient of the Canadian Libin/Alberta Heritage Foundation for Medical Research Prize in Cardiovascular Research.

Japanese Circulation Society

Willerson is among the first seven physicians outside of Japan to be inducted into the Japanese Circulation Society, and one of only two Americans to receive the honor. The International Honorary Membership recognizes Willerson’s long record of work on cardiovascular disease, his many contributions to medicine and science, and his collegial friendship.

Established in 1935, the Japanese Circulation Society promotes basic and clinical research activities and education in the scientific field of the circulatory organ system. The society holds regional and international scientific meetings, publishes the Japanese Circulation Journal, encourages and supports research, rewards achievements, and cooperates with associations in related fields in Japan and abroad.

Canadian Research Prize

As recipient of the Libin/AHFMR Prize, Willerson will spend a week in May lecturing and interacting with faculty members, graduate students, postdocs and fellows at both the University of Alberta in Edmonton and the University of Calgary.

The prestigious scientific award recognizes Willerson as an outstanding international researcher whose work has had a major impact on the understanding, prevention, recognition or treatment of cardiovascular disease and/or the understanding and promotion of cardiovascular health.

Distinguished Cardiologist

At the Texas Heart Institute, Willerson and Emerson Perin, M.D., Ph.D., are leading one of the first FDA-approved trials using bone marrow-derived stem cells to treat heart disease.

Last year, the American Heart Association (AHA) presented Willerson with the Gold Heart Award, its highest honor for volunteers who have provided continued, distinguished service. The AHA also has honored Willerson with its Award of Meritorious Achievement, the James B. Herrick Award, and its Distinguished Science Award, which recognized his “extraordinary contributions to cardiovascular and stroke research.”

For 11 years, Willerson was editor-in-chief of Circulation, the AHA’s largest scientific journal.

Willerson received the Career Achievement Award of the Transcatheter Cardiovascular Therapeutic Scientific Symposium in October 2005 in honor of his outstanding work as an internationally distinguished cardiologist, research scientist and educator.